Within the conservative movement, is there a growing sense of malaise? Or is it merely something the other side desperately wants us to feel?

After relentless recent liberal media poundings, I’ve noticed at least a few on the right seeming a bit down-in-the-dumps.

Why I’m instead upbeat:

1) Republican fundraising is clobbering parallel opposition efforts. Howard Dean isn’t just a loose cannon for the Dems, he’s also proving to be surprisingly lousy at rounding up the dough. If things are so great for the left, why aren’t they contributing?

2) If in hindsight, this does prove to be a Bush presidency low point, I’d rather have it in 2005 than during midterm elections next year. Already, his new offensive push makes him look stronger and that’s got to provide a subsequent public sentiment boost.

3) Whether they’re moving Bush’s way or not, I ignore meaningless polls. I hope you do, as well.

4) The odd assortment of races and ballot initiatives made recent election trends nationally inconclusive.

For one, Arnold should keep up the fight in California. He’s a ray of hope in a state still worth fighting for.

In Washington state, typical results were inverted, as a statewide gas tax increase repeal failed, while ultraliberal Seattle voters actually shut down a bloated, ill-advised monorail project.

5) Since I’ve generally lived in areas where Republicans win local and state races only occasionally and with great effort, there are no unrealistic expectations of endless national success, either. However, we must always fight as hard as we can for what we believe.

6) The party opposite continues to offer no clear reason why it deserves to be in power. Little seems to have been learned from 2004’s donkey clobbering and I don’t believe that will change in time for 2006.

7) Republicans have an exciting opportunity to look at a number of relatively fresh faces for 2008.

Two weeks ago, I met Governor Mitt Romney at a firehouse press conference in Manomet, Massachusetts, where he signed “Nicole’s Law”, which will eventually mandate carbon monoxide detectors in Bay State dwellings (your home needs them NOW, by the way).

While previously puzzled by Romney’s presidential ambitions, his strategy of building national conservative credentials while bolstering home state accomplishments increasingly appears to be working, I now believe. And it’s driving elitist Boston Globe hacks crazy.

At the event, I was watching for signs of qualities that might be necessary for a credible national run. While Romney’s always been polished and articulate, he also came across as warm and approachable. I’d like to see more of how he might appear on the campaign trail, but so far, so good.

Even more encouraging, Republican Lt. Gov Kerry Healey is quietly building a substantial network of supporters, as well as the necessary funding to potentially take Romney’s place on Beacon Hill.

What else can be added to this list?

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